Pearl River puts best foot forward in Orange Bowl

BY MARC MATURO

Proving once again—not that any proof is needed—that games are played on the field and not on paper, the Pearl River High School football team took the measure of rival Tappan Zee, 21-14, in the annual Orange Bowl, held this year at the victor’s confines on an unusually hot and humid afternoon.

(Full disclosure: Let me quote myself in a brief promo to the game: Judging only by one common opponent, Sleepy Hollow, another victory by the Orangetown-based Dutchmen is nearly a given.)

In any case and in any event, Tappan Zee, now 2-2, goes from the frying pan into the fire Thursday night at 7 p.m. in Poughkeepsie when the Dutchmen challenge undefeated and obviously powerful Our Lady of Lourdes, which is aiming for its fifth win.

Pearl River, also now level at 2-2, hopes to build upon its success on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 when the Pirates visit Nyack, a team that has been beaten but once in four contests under Coach Dom DeMatteo.

Pearl River’s win against Tappan Zee put the all-time series at 17-15-1 in favor of the Pirates, and was sparked by senior Jonathan Farley’s two touchdowns.

Tappan Zee made a valiant comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, scoring on a 7-yard run by quarterback Matt Yuvienco and a 22-yard gallop by Nick Violetto.

Pearl River, coached by the always optimistic Mike Oliva, scored the game’s opening touchdown on a 6-yard scamper by Kyle Muldoon, who went out in the second quarter.

Muldoon had scored two TDs and ran for 100-plus years the previous week against Poughkeepsie. Pearl River not only overcame his absence, but overcame the Tappan Zee challenge.

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